American Gothic Couples Costume

American Gothic Couples Costume
My partner and I wanted to go to a real costume party so we found this idea online at a homemade couples costumes website.
Her eis how we did it.

1. Find refrigerator box. A large screen TV box will work as well
2. 1 sheet - Tongue & Groove Insulation Sheathing 4ft X 8ft
3. 2 -1x1x8
4. two old back packs
5. Good Will Clothing
6. Paints - Lots of black and White
7. Glue – Construction adhesive works great
Step 1. Cut the box to fit you and your partner. Our box had one end intact that we utilized for both by cutting it in half and the desired width which was approximately 28”
Step 2. Paint the box completely black except for the inside back and that is painted White to be used as the “Canvas”
Step 3. Paint the American Gothic painting on the white “canvas” You can be as detailed or not as you want here. Remember you will be standing in front of this
Step 4. Cut the Insulation sheets to size for the frame. Ours were approximately 3 inch wide.
Step 5. Paint the frame wood like. I am an artist at heart and really enjoyed the painting parts of this costume. And my partner was a perfectionist at the construction side. The most difficult part was how to wear it.
Step 6. Cut the 1x to make a frame to give the cardboard box some structure and attach at the bottom of the box.
Step 7.Screw a piece of strap to the back of the frame and attach the plastic connectors to the ends. This will form a belt strap to further hold the constume in place.
Step 8. Attach the insulation "Frame" to the outside of that box with some construction adhesive.
Step 9. Cut the straps out of the back packs & cut a piece of plywood the same shape as the back pack. Use screws nuts & washers to sandwich the back of the picture between the plywood on the outside and the back pack straps on the inside. This is the most important piece of the costume as it will allow you to have your hands free while carrying the costume around throughout the night.